How Can You Save Thousands of Dollars with the Right Home Inspector

From a financial and long-term commitment standpoint, buying a home can be a huge deal, especially if you’re buying your first home.  So it makes perfect sense to protect what could be the largest investment you’ll make in your lifetime by hiring a professional home inspection service.  Once you fall in love with your dream home, it’s difficult to be objective and keep an open mind that your investment will pay off in the long run and that the home is structurally sound.

It’s important to understand that, to the untrained eye, the staging of a home for sale can hide a lot of defects and shortcomings with that property.  A home inspection ensures that there won’t be any big-ticket repair issues to contend with once you’ve moved into the home and have been living in it for a while. It helps you ensure that you are putting down your money on a property that is worth that price instead of regretting it later on when you have to deal with mold or termite issues.

What is included in a Home Inspection?

All home inspections disclose the condition of the electrical systems, foundation, plumbing systems, roofing, structural components, and windows.  The inspector will alert you to any areas of concern based on:

• the age of the home
• notification of any previous renovations
• specific characteristics

They will also alert you to any issues or problems that need to be addressed ASAP versus those that can be corrected later on down the road.  The following is a list of what you can expect the home inspector to examine and review:

• A/C and heating – chimneys clear, no corrosion on pipes, working order verified

• Built-in and interior appliances – check cabinetry, counters, doors, floors, stairs, and windows for proper function

• Electrical – test for efficient and safe operation, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in place and working properly

• Exterior faults –areas needing caulking, deteriorated stairs, and settlement cracks

• Insulation and ventilation – attic and crawl space insulation, under floor insulation, vapor retarders, and venting fans examined

• Plumbing – bacteria, drains, fittings, leak tests, mineral deposits, pipes, vents, and waste systems

• Roofing – check chimneys and skylights, gutter debris, loose shingles or tiles

• Structural components – attic, ceilings, floors, foundation, roof, and walls

Keep in mind that buying a newly constructed home doesn’t mean foregoing a home inspection.  After all, don’t you want to be assured that the builder did everything up to code? For more information or to schedule a home inspection, call Florida Inspections Unlimited at 954-861-0666 today.